JOINT COMMISSION FOR DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
AND THE MALANKARA ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH
REPORT OF THE 2010 MEETING
Kottayam, 8-9 December 2010
The Joint International Commission for Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was held at the Spirituality Centre, Manganam, Kottayam on Wednesday and Thursday 8th and 9th December 2010. The meeting began at 10 a.m. with prayer led by Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil welcomed the members on behalf of the Catholic representatives. He recalled that this year is very important for both Churches since it is the twentieth anniversary of the meeting of the dialogue commission, the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the 25th anniversary of the visit of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II to Kerala and the visit to Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews I that initiated the present dialogue. Dr. Gabriel Mor Gregorios, the Co-Chairman of the Joint International Commission, also welcomed the members and reflected on the importance of this meeting. The official dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches must not diminish the importance of this bilateral dialogue that has produced many results. The common heritage of these Churches is a strong foundation on which to build up good relationships between both Churches. “Respect for the identity of the Church will bring us closer”, he explained.
Bishop Brian Farrell, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and Co-Chairman of the Joint International Commission, expressed his satisfaction in the dialogue and hoped that the meeting would be fruitful by the grace of God our Lord. He also gave a brief description of the origin of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity and of the role the Council plays in dialogue with the other Churches and ecclesial communities.
The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church was represented by His Grace Gabriel Mor Gregorios (Co-Chairman), Rev. Dr. Johns Abraham Konatt, Rev. Dr. Baby Varghese, Rev. Dr. Jose John, Rev. Dr. T. I. Varghese, Rev. Dr. O Thomas, Rev. Dr. Regi Mathew and Rev. Fr. Abraham Thomas (co-secretary). The Catholic Church was represented by His Excellency, Bishop Brian Farrell (Co-Chairman), His Grace Mar Joseph Powathil, His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakatt, His Grace Mar Thomas Mar Koorilos, His Excellency, Bishop Selvister Ponnumuthen, Rev. Dr. Mathew Vellanickal, Rev. Dr. Xavier Koodapuzha, Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil, Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil and Rev. Fr. Gabriel Quicke (co-secretary).
Rev. Dr. Philip Nelpuraparampil presented the report of the meeting in 2009 and the commission approved it with a minor addition.
The first topic for discussion was the possibility of sharing sacred places such as Church buildings and cemeteries. The subcommittee appointed by the Joint Commission to study the question prepared a draft paper on this theme and sent it to the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) and the Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Both the KCBC and the Synod approved it with some modification. Two papers with similar proposals were presented in the meeting, one from Rev. Fr. Abraham Thomas and the other Rev. Fr. Philip Nelpuraparampil. The meeting approved the agreement deriving from a combination of both proposals (after detailed discussion and clarifications). The agreement will be sent to the bishops of both Churches and will be published in the official bulletins of the Churches.
The proposed draft statement on Inter Church Marriages was again taken up for discussion. It had been presented in both the KCBC and the Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church and had been sent back for further clarifications. Considering the ecclesial bond between the two Churches, the statement was again discussed in this meeting. Modifications were proposed and introduced into a new form of agreement that will be presented to the Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church and to the KCBC.
A paper on “Primacy and Conciliarity in Dialogue” was presented by Rev. Fr. Abraham Thomas. After discussing the question in detail, it was proposed that the text be submitted to a deeper liturgical and patristic study in the next meeting. The proposed statement on the sharing of the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in a grave emergency situation, especially in hospitals and homes for the aged, was also presented and was approved by the Joint International Commission. This agreement will be presented to the KCBC and the Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The agreement on the sharing of sacred places such as Church buildings and cemeteries was signed by both co-chairmen. As well, the proposed agreement on the sharing of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Joint Statement on Inter Church Marriages were also signed by both Chairmen. These two proposed agreements will be sent for the approval of the KCBC and also of the Synod of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
A meeting of the available members of the Joint International Commission will be held on Tuesday 5th July 2011 at SEERI, Kottayam, to evaluate the developments in the dialogue.
The next meeting will be held in Sophia Centre on 7th and 8th December 2011.
The following major issues will be on the agenda:
1. The reception of the agreement on sharing of sacred places such as church buildings and cemeteries, and on the sharing of the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.
2. Monastic spirituality in India, by Father Xavier Koodapuzha.
3. Rev. Dr. Baby Varghese and Rev. Dr. Pauly Maniattu will present papers on ‘The Place of St. Peter in the Liturgical Texts’.
4. Rev. Dr. Jacob Thekkeparampil will present a paper on ‘Simon in St. Ephraem and Jacob of Sarug’.
[Information Service 135 (2010/III-IV) 131-133]